A whole lot happened in a full slate of games in Week 8.
For some reason, Week 8 featured no teams on bye, no teams playing overseas, and only one Monday Night Football game. I don’t know why the NFL randomly decided to throw that full Sunday slate in Week 8, but it made for a jam packed day of football with lots of goings ons. Let’s dive in.
NFC South
The Saints continue their freefall without Derek Carr
To be clear, the Saints started this freefall while Derek Carr was still healthy, but they’ve only spiraled further with their backup quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler started on Sunday but was benched midway through the third quarter after manufacturing just one field goal drive in nine possessions. That was also the only drive that lasted longer than five plays. Jake Haener only mustered one field goal drive of us own as the Saints suffered another blowout loss.
It’s going to be tough sledding for the Buccaneers offense without their star receivers
The Bus lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin late in their loss to the Ravens. They felt their absence on Sunday against the Falcons. Baker Mayfield still threw for 330 yards, but about half of his targets went to backs and tight ends. It seems like they’re going to be dinking and dunking at least until Mike Evans gets back.
The rest of the NFL
The Bears gave up the most incompetent Hail Mary in NFL history
Surely everyone has seen the highlight by now, but there’s something truly special about the Bears’ incompetence that allowed it to happen. First, with about six seconds left, the Bears dropped eight players essentially out of frame and gave the Commanders a free 12 yards to set up the last heave. Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson was jawing with the crowd while the Hail Mary play was starting. He desperately tried to get involved late, and it was his hand that tipped the ball back into the waiting arms of Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown.
The Browns lost DeShaun Watson for the season and suddenly became a better football team
James Winston stepped in for the beleaguered and now injured Watson and did something the latter had never done in Browns jersey—throw for 300 yards. In fact, it was the fifth time in the last six games that Watson didn’t start that the Browns went over 300 yards passing. Watson hadn’t gone over 200 since his last start of 2023.
Winston’s big day catapulted a 1-6 Browns team to a win over the Ravens, who had looked like a juggernaut in recent weeks. It’s remarkable what a change at quarterback can do for a team.
The Jets continue to implode in spectacular fashion
The Jets were supposed to be a contender after going all in to acquire Aaron Rodgers and do whatever they could to keep him happy. They’ve done that, but they keep losing games. In recent weeks, they’ve tried to turn the tide after each loss by firing their coach, acquiring Davante Adams, then getting Haason Redick to sign. Even with all that, they still lost to the 1-6 Patriots led by previously benched quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The Jets and Patriots now have the same record as the Patriots, Jaguars, Raiders, etc.
Christian McCaffrey looks to be on the verge of returning
The 49ers opened the practice window for the start running back and former Panther. They’re on bye Week 9, but it’s possible that McCaffrey will be back for the team’s Week 10 showdown with the Commanders. He’s been dealing with tendinopathy in his achilles and has gone as far as seeking treatment in Germany. It seems like he was worked past the issue and is soon to be ready to go.